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One of the NHL’s brightest stars returns to the ice tonight as Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby re-joins the lineup after an 11-month absence. After suffering head injuries in two consecutive game in early January 2011, Crosby withdrew from the remainder of the 2010-11 regular season, as well as the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Finally cleared of many of the concussion symptoms that haunted him for much of the past year, Crosby’s return has been met with unprecedented fanfare. Predictably, Penguins average ticket prices have risen to meet a surging demand of fans trying to get a glimpse of Sid the Kid.

Average ticket prices have jolted since Crosby’s return was announced. Demand has increased from an average ticket price of $123 for pre-Crosby Penguins home games, while the next 10 are averaging at $137. While a $14 price increase may not seem too impressive now, just wait until prices for games in the coming weeks start picking up. The secondary market was a bit caught off guard by Crosby’s sudden return, but even Penguins coach Dan Bylsma admitted to giving his tickets for tonight’s game away before GM Ray Shero informed him of the lineup change. Tickets for tonight’s game against the New York Islanders are only averaging at around $104, but that’s largely due to most of the tickets already being spoken for. The current ‘get in’ price for the game tonight is $137, but move quickly as there are less than 20 listings still available on SeatGeek.